I need help with buying a new scanner?

[W2SJW]

So are you saying the 436 hp cannot just be programmed manually or by computer? Only by using the zip code load up? Because of the sd card?

You can set up your own custom favorite lists on the 436 & 536 via Sentinel to scan as much or as little as you want (check the ZIP file in my signature link - I have hundreds of people that use my custom FL's instead of the raw DB).

Trying to create a custom FL through the keypad on these units will be an absolute exercise in futility. It can be done, but you'll end up banging you head against the wall!

I love that I can initiate a 'quick search' on a specific frequency in about 5 seconds via the keypad & the unit will decode anything it hears automatically (PL, DPL, P25, DMR, etc...).

 

[KK4JUG]

In my opinion, I feel it is a real waste of money to throw close to $400 towards a scanner that still won't allow you to receive any Police departments (Burlington and Camden County - all PD is encrypted). As for receiving FD dispatch and EMS, you can still hear that on any Uniden analog scanner in those counties at a more reasonable price. Just my 2 cents/common sense.

I believe buying the better-equipped unit may be an investment. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Unless you never travel to other areas, the $400 would be well spent. Although I've never been to your wonderful state, I'm reasonably certain Burlington and Camden County are not the only agencies in the state.

 

[Danny6569]

You can set up your own custom favorite lists on the 436 & 536 via Sentinel to scan as much or as little as you want (check the ZIP file in my signature link - I have hundreds of people that use my custom FL's instead of the raw DB).

Trying to create a custom FL through the keypad on these units will be an absolute exercise in futility. It can be done, but you'll end up banging you head against the wall!

I love that I can initiate a 'quick search' on a specific frequency in about 5 seconds via the keypad & the unit will decode anything it hears automatically (PL, DPL, P25, DMR, etc...).

Hey w2sjw ty and do you think i would need the dmr upgrade in my area? Burlington county and atlanntic county and philadelphia? I know pro voice is around atlantic county still so im definetly gonna get that,but how about dmr?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[W2SJW]

Don't waste your money on ProVoice at this point (it's almost close to being obsolete in NJ).

The choice for DMR is up to you. I'm sure there is quite a bit of DMR down that way (just not public safety like we have up here in North Jersey).

 

[Skypilot007]

There is a ton of DMR activity around your area. None of which is public safety. It's all commercial business and industrial. The PDV network on 900 MHz is very active during the day with everything from school buses, tow truck, ambulance service, etc, if you're into that sort of stuff. The same type of services can be found searching the 450-460 Mhz business bands. If you visit LBI at all during the summer there is some public safety activity out there but the PD are using enhanced privacy.

You also listen to all the hammies on tri-state.

 

[Analogrules]

Yeah, I read on here that Burlington will become encrypted as soon as they switch systems, which is expected in the near future. Again, just according to past threads on here.

If you can find a bcd436 for no more than $200, then I'd say it may be worth that price. I wouldn't pay much more for it, unless it is already DMR capable, then maybe $250.

 

[AvidHiker]

Hey, that tune changed a bit.

Anyway, value is in the eye of the beholder. For some, $400 is nothing. But since I mentioned it, if buying used, ask about the serial number (ideally, you want one with a "Z6" or "Z7").

 

[Danny6569]

Oh great burlington county will go encrypted? Do you know when?

 

[scannersnstuff]

I love my bcd436hp <although not being used to it's full potential>. I love my bcd325p2 <has really become my "go to scanner".Not to derail this,but my gre psr-500 blow's them all away,with it's spectrumsweeper. Uniden's close call, doesn't even come close.

 

[jonwienke]

Re programming it for multiple states - that statement is incorrect. You most certainly can program the 325 for multiple states by judicious use of the quick keys. I had a 396, and traveled through 4 states with it without any programming issues.

The per-system object limits mean you can't program large trunked systems like WV-SIRN in their entirety, and using quick keys to manually toggle every system in 4 states sounds like an exercise in frustration, unless you only program cherry-picked stuff you have to plan out beforehand. Even if you use GPS and location control, the 325 & 996 scanners bog down if you have a lot of stuff programmed. Not the most convenient if you have to detour, or your plans (and travel route) change during the trip.

In contrast, the x36 scanners have everything in North America programmed, and are designed from the ground up to handle even the largest and most complex trunked systems without bogging down.

If you rarely leave your local area, or only travel along a few routes known in advance, the 325 is fine. But if you travel a lot, especially if you don't always follow the same routes, the 436 is a clear winner.

 

[Danny6569]

Thanks everyone i bought the 436 hp and trying to figure it out now lol,i love the zip code upload thats why i picked it

 

[KK4JUG]

Good choice

 

[Danny6569]

Ty i did not buy either one,maybe dmr later on.

 

[Danny6569]

436 hp

This scanner is awesome! Love the zip code upload,and just everything on this radio! And an up to 30 second delay too? Nice! And the alert tones and all different color alert lights is great! And a sleep timer too lol,love it! Ive been watching youtube videos and figured out a lot of stuff already! And i programmed a conventional system manually last night! I bought the scanner at white dotte in vincentown new jersey and they put 4 systems in for me and updated the firmware too! Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[jonwienke]

Congrats on your new scanner.

 

[AvidHiker]

Oh great burlington county will go encrypted? Do you know when?

Guess I don't have a sufficient post count for you to bother reading my posts? I believe I read Burlington County is expected to have a new radio system up and running sometime next year. A simple search of the forum will turn up some informative discussion.

N2ZGE, while he does have a nice post count, doesn't appear to "know" anything more than what has been discussed in other threads (he also loves to scare people off with unfounded claims of impending encryption doom). While his choice of words often disguise speculation as fact, based on your surrounding counties, there does appear to be a high probability that your county's new public safety radio system will be encrypted when they put it on line. You'll just have to wait and see.

 

[AvidHiker]

Oh, and enjoy the 436, it's a very capable scanner and well worth whatever you paid.

 

[lou9155]

yes burlington county is switching over to phase 2 but its years away..the current 500 mhz system isnt that old

 

[Skypilot007]

Encryption for Burlington county is pure speculation. There has been nothing made public by the decision makers as of yet. Hopefully since Burlington county has a lot of interaction with Bucks county PA they will follow the same logic as Bucks and run PD in the clear and have encrypted tac channels for sensitive chatter. Fingers crossed !

 

[Skypilot007]

yes burlington county is switching over to phase 2 but its years away..the current 500 mhz system isnt that old

Probably less than 2 years away for phase II. The current system was deployed in 2006. It may not be that old but when it was built the technology used was already being phased out by Motorola.